Psychology as a Science

Psychology as a Science

Dr. Dafna Palti

Short description

Psychology is the study of human behavior, but human behavior is complex and difficult to predict. Nonetheless, as in physics or chemistry, psychologists use the scientific method in order to better understand and describe human behavior in the world around them. This course is aimed to give an introductory overview to the way it is done.

We will start with presenting the scientific method and some history of scientific psychology. Next, we will go into the details of using research in psychology, by presenting some elementary terms in research methods and in statistics that are relevant to psychological research. The course will be accompanied by reading and analyzing research papers and online research reviews, on which we will apply the terms and theory introduced in class. We will also have some in-class demonstrations of psychological experiments. The course as a whole will provide the students with basic knowledge of the terms, concepts and methods used in research in psychology, and will develop their ability to understand, and to think critically about, the psychological studies they will encounter.

Course Requirements

Attendance and participation (11% of final course grade)

Submission of 3 assignments (9% of final course grade)

In-class midterm grade (during class hours) (15% of final course grade) 

Take-home final exam grade (65% of final course grade)